Record fine for illegal charters calls attention to nationwide problem

摘要

The U.S. Coast Guard hopes levying a record $80,000 fine against a Lake Michigan offender in February sends a strong message to anyone else illegally using recreational boats for commercial passenger service. Robert Glick of Chicago had been stopped 10 times between June 2017 and June 2018 and told he needed to bring the two 35-foot boats he was chartering into compliance with federal regulations. Glick repeatedly was told to cease operations, including once after a passenger was injured last June, said Lt. Cmdr. S. Lincoln Puffer, executive officer with Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago, which is responsible for enforcement and oversight on about 500 miles of rivers and lakefront.